The River Reporter, February 16, 1995

School board looks to fund ventilation costs

-- $513,000 estimated

By TOM RUE
MONTICELLO - Engineers presented ideas on how to cure to air quality problems at the Cornelius A. Duggan Elementary School in White Lake, at a February 9 Monticello Central School District board meeting.

David Kuckuk and Joseph Massara of Thomas Associates, Ithaca, presented an eight-page report containing observations on the present ventilation system at Duggan, detailing four options for to correct existing health threats in the school. Board members also discussed creative financing methods for the needed repairs.

Tests taken over a year ago turned up problems with the air purity inside the building, including mold, fungus, and volatile organic compounds which experts blame on inadequate ventilation.

Children and employees in the building have complained of symptoms including headaches, nausea, dizziness and light-headedness attributed to the air problems.

The school -- with 314 students -- has remained open. Temporary corrective measures have been put in place pending the ventilation overhaul now under discussion.

Board members voted to direct superintendent Eileen Casey to continue working with Thomas Associates toward replacing existing boilers -- more than 40 years old -- with new unit ventilators. Other recommended improvements include installing proper water treatment, upgrading thermostat systems, and other tasks.

Hope to avoid referendum & bids
Kuckuk estimated the proposed renovation would cost $513,000. He said some contractors make arrangements with schools whereby repairs are paid for over time, out of funds budgeted for fuel and other costs which are in turn saved due to the improvements.

Using this accounting method, Kuckuk said, since no public funds are actually be laid out for the repairs, a time-consuming and politically risky referendum may be unnecessary. Legal requirements for public bidding can also be circumvented, he said, using the same process.

Board members agreed that repairs must be done quickly, asking Casey to explore the legality of Kuckuk's ideas.

Several agreed that time is of the essence in resolving what was described by some as a special situation threatening the health and welfare of children, staff and the public.

Kuckuk made no guarantees the renovations would be finished by September, but said chances would improve without the constraints of a public vote or putting the job out to bid.

Casey was directed to explore whether the accounting methods Kuckuck proposed could be applied in this case. "It literally does not require the district to write any checks, if it's set up correctly," Kuckuk claimed.

There were about 25 people in the audience. Some objected that the board did not have copies of the engineering report prepared for the public, complaining about difficulty following the board's discussion in the decision-making process.

In other business
  • Board members voted to ask Sullivan County Real Property Tax Service Agency Paul Burckard to return to attend a board meeting to answer questions about proposed school district participation on a county-dominated committee involving tax-exemptions.
  • It was announced the annual DARE Program "culmination" ceremony will be held Thursday, February 16, 9:30 a.m., at the Kenneth E. Rutherford Elementary School in Monticello.
  • The board heard a report on repairs to software problems which have reportedly plagued office workers since installation of a computer program known as School Information Management System. Staff needs for computer training, as well as the possibility of hiring a full-time district information management specialist to handle computer problems, were also discussed.
  • Casey agreed to announce dates and topics for 95-96 budget work sessions on school lunch menus.



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